January 15, 2026
Michigan total nonfarm payroll jobs edged up by 2,600, or 0.1 percent, in November, bringing the total to 4,538,900. This marked the fifth consecutive month of recorded job gains on a seasonally adjusted basis.
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Monthly Job Change (Data in Thousands)
Source: Current Employment Statistics, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Among all U.S. states, Michigan ranked 19th for the largest numeric payroll job change during November. Over the month, 35 states saw growth in payroll employment, with numeric job gains led by California (+32,500) and New York (+17,100).
On a national level, total nonfarm payroll jobs rose minimally over the month, inching up by 64,000 (0.0 percent) in November. Over the month, Private education and health services (+65,000), Construction (+28,000), and Professional and business services (+12,000) recorded the most significant job additions.
Seasonally adjusted job growth occurred within six of Michigan’s 11 statewide supersector industries during November. On a numeric basis, Private education and health services (+1,700); Trade, transportation, and utilities (+1,700); and Government (+1,400) saw the most notable employment gains. These industry gains were partially offset by declines in the state’s Construction (-1,100) and Manufacturing (-900) sectors.
Seasonally Adjusted
Source: Current Employment Statistics, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Since November 2024, total nonfarm payroll jobs in Michigan increased by 40,400, or 0.9 percent. Over the year, seven of 11 statewide major industry sectors exhibited job growth, with strong employment gains led by Private education and health services (+11,600), Government (+10,500), and Construction (+10,400). Over the year, Professional and business services (-4,200), Manufacturing (-2,500), and Mining and logging (-200) reported job losses, while employment within Information remained unchanged since November 2024.
Seasonally adjusted jobs in the U.S. advanced by 0.6 percent over the year. On a percentage basis, noteworthy job additions were recorded in Private education and health services (+2.9 percent), Leisure and hospitality (+1.0 percent), and Other services (+1.0 percent). Since November 2024, Mining and logging experienced the greatest percent decline nationally, falling by 2.7 percent, equal to that seen in Michigan over the same period.
On a not seasonally adjusted basis, eight of Michigan’s 15 Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) recorded job growth, six regions observed job declines, and only the Jackson MSA recorded no job growth since October 2025. Six metro areas demonstrated employment gains greater than or equal to the national average (+0.2 percent). The national rate change outpaced the statewide average (-0.2 percent) during the same period.
Total employment within Trade, transportation, and utilities remained either unchanged or increased in all Michigan metro areas over the month. Since November 2024, total payroll jobs within the Financial activities industry sector remained flat or increased in every metro area.
Over the year, 12 metro areas experienced job growth. The largest over-the-year employment gains were recorded in Muskegon (+2.0 percent); Traverse City (+2.0 percent); and Flint (+1.1 percent). The Monroe (-0.5 percent); Midland (-0.2 percent); and Niles (-0.2 percent) metro areas were the only regions to experience over-the-year declines in November.
Not Seasonally Adjusted
Source: Current Employment Statistics, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
For more information on Michigan's statewide and regional labor markets, read the full press releases from the Michigan Center for Data and Analytics. Download custom employment and unemployment data with the MCDA Data Search tool.
